(Obviously generalizing, by Sunnis here I'm meaning sectarian fighters that aren't in the Al Qaeda camp). Well don't forget that if it comes to an all out assault on the Sunnis, the Saudis have explicitly said they'll step up if the US isn't doing enough to protect them. So, with that in mind, it comes down to the Sunnis thinking they've got more staying power than the Shia think they do. As a result, even if they just want a negotiated settlement over the oil, they think they have something to gain from a test of arms. That and they were in charge and controlled the army for some time, so they have reason to think that they're better fighters even if in the minority.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-01-31 03:51 am (UTC)